Welcome to Parents for a Safer Environment

Welcome!
Home
Background
Pesticides
Current Projects & Committees
Environmental Hazards in Schools
Press and News Releases
Recipes for Safer Cleaning
Recommended Businesses
Environmental Topics
Related Websites
Donations
Jobs Available
Advisory Board
Get Involved
Welcome to Parents for a Safer Environment!

Call to Action:
March 25, 2012

Parents for a Safer Environment is collecting signatures for the Least Toxic Pest Management Ordinance. View the problem and solutions summary and sign the petition here.

Parents for a Safer Environment (PfSE), a grass-roots organization, based in Moraga, was first formed in the Fall of 2002 after parents witnessed serious environmental hazard exposures to children in Childcare Facilities. We saw a need for the Facilities and Parents alike to become better informed.

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to protect the healthy development of the fetus and children from preventable environmental hazards by means of research, outreach, education, and advocacy. Protecting the most vulnerable human populations will in turn also preserve and honor the environment and wildlife.

Overview of our Work:

The Steering Committee made up of Contra Costa County residents work with Board of Advisory Members to develop a program to educate the Contra Costa County community about the risks of commonly used products and methods. Much of our focus has been assisting local towns, cities, school districts, county departments to adopt the practice of least toxic pest management. We study the obstacles and solutions to using safer alternatives as well as reviewing products, methods and services that reduce risk to pesticides, cleaning products, synthetic food additives/food containers and electromagnetic radiation.

In addition to consulting communities on how to pass and implement least toxic pest management, cleaning products, or nutrition policies, we have worked with the Contra Costa County Departments to pass policies to protect public health and the environment since 2005. In 2010, PfSE sponsored our first legislative Bill, SB 1157 (DeSaulnier), the Healthy Schools Act after having only endorsed and written letters for dozens of environmental health related legislative bills in the past nine years. We are currently working to raise funds to support both our county and state legislative work for 2012. We are currently collaborating with both government and non-profit groups who have a similar mission.

(Please click here if you are interested in being a sponsor or a donor).

Current Projects:

Oversee Contra Costa County's overuse of pesticides by the Departments of Public Works, General Services, and Agriculture. High School Interns are helping with spreadsheet work currently.

Evaluate the pesticides used in public landscapes and buildings as well as private facilities, used particularly by children and pregnant women. Work with school districts, child-care centers (preschools), towns/cities, and advocate reform. High School Interns are helping with these projects currently.

Create Wellness policies in Contra Costa County School Districts working with local PTA's and other concerned parents. Present the risks and safer alternatives and help institutionalize the passing of written policies for Integrated Pest Management, Least Toxic Cleaning Products & Indoor Air Quality, Nutritional Lunch and Snacks, Replacement of anti-bacterial soaps with least toxic soaps, Reduced Waste such as Sustainable and least toxic food packaging, and Green Buildings.

Least Toxic Pest Control presentations to local service organizations, schools, hospitals, homeowner associations, health clubs, building management companies and public agency staff and politicians. Pests can be insects, weeds, rodents, fungi, mammals and microorganisms.

Education and Outreach at Community Fairs, Festivals, and Conferences. PfSE and volunteers of trained students, retirees, and other adults provide consultation on pest problems using least toxic alternatives.

Projects that are on hold until we have more funding and staff:

Work with neighboring communities who oppose the Contra Costa County Mosquito & Vector Control District spraying pesticides from trucks into the middle of neighborhood streets to kill adult mosquitoes, a procedure that has been shown by a major Harvard University School of Public Health study in 2006 to be ineffective at controlling mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus.

Assisting Churches and businesses to become Green and Sustainable.

Documentary Environmental Film, Food and Wine Nights to educate the community and mobilize individuals for effecting change at a personal level. PfSE co-sponsored the monthly “Green Rheem” film/wine nights from 2008-2010 with great attendance.

Alternative to Driving Campaign: Work with school districts and child care facilities to incorporate car-pooling programs at schools and for after school activities. Introduce GPS mapping on carpool board of potential riders so that people can easily carpool.

Work on passing a California State Legislation on reforming pest control in public schools and all child-care facilities in California.

**************************************

List-serve sign-up:

Click here to sign up onto our list-serv!

PfSE meets every 3rd Thursday of the month in Moraga, at the home of the Director.
Background:
Parents for a Safer Environment (PfSE), a grass-roots organization, was formed after parents witnessed children being exposed to serious environmental hazards in Childcare Facilities in the Fall of 2002. A steering committee of parent volunteers from Moraga, Lafayette, Richmond, El Cerrito, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and Martinez, and an Advisory Board of health and technical experts work to bring awareness of environmental hazards and solutions to the community. We invite others to join us. Learn more about us here!
Advisory Board
Contact: Director, Susan JunFish, MPH
junfish@ gmail dot com
(925) 283-4609
Jobs available for scientists, editors, and those interested in protecting public health and the environment.
Acknowledgements:
Website designer and gatekeeper: Diana Chernikova (dchernikova at gmail dot com)

Back to Top

Welcome!
Home Background Pesticides Current Projects & Committees Environmental Hazards in Schools Press and News Releases Recipes for Safer Cleaning Recommended Businesses Environmental Topics Related Websites Donations Jobs Available Advisory Board Get Involved	Welcome to Parents for a Safer Environment! Call to Action: March 25, 2012 Parents for a Safer Environment is collecting signatures for the Least Toxic Pest Management Ordinance. View the problem and solutions summary and sign the petition here. Parents for a Safer Environment (PfSE), a grass-roots organization, based in Moraga, was first formed in the Fall of 2002 after parents witnessed serious environmental hazard exposures to children in Childcare Facilities. We saw a need for the Facilities and Parents alike to become better informed. Mission Statement: Our mission is to protect the healthy development of the fetus and children from preventable environmental hazards by means of research, outreach, education, and advocacy. Protecting the most vulnerable human populations will in turn also preserve and honor the environment and wildlife. Overview of our Work: The Steering Committee made up of Contra Costa County residents work with Board of Advisory Members to develop a program to educate the Contra Costa County community about the risks of commonly used products and methods. Much of our focus has been assisting local towns, cities, school districts, county departments to adopt the practice of least toxic pest management. We study the obstacles and solutions to using safer alternatives as well as reviewing products, methods and services that reduce risk to pesticides, cleaning products, synthetic food additives/food containers and electromagnetic radiation. In addition to consulting communities on how to pass and implement least toxic pest management, cleaning products, or nutrition policies, we have worked with the Contra Costa County Departments to pass policies to protect public health and the environment since 2005. In 2010, PfSE sponsored our first legislative Bill, SB 1157 (DeSaulnier), the Healthy Schools Act after having only endorsed and written letters for dozens of environmental health related legislative bills in the past nine years. We are currently working to raise funds to support both our county and state legislative work for 2012. We are currently collaborating with both government and non-profit groups who have a similar mission. (Please click here if you are interested in being a sponsor or a donor). Current Projects: Oversee Contra Costa County's overuse of pesticides by the Departments of Public Works, General Services, and Agriculture. High School Interns are helping with spreadsheet work currently. Evaluate the pesticides used in public landscapes and buildings as well as private facilities, used particularly by children and pregnant women. Work with school districts, child-care centers (preschools), towns/cities, and advocate reform. High School Interns are helping with these projects currently. Create Wellness policies in Contra Costa County School Districts working with local PTA's and other concerned parents. Present the risks and safer alternatives and help institutionalize the passing of written policies for Integrated Pest Management, Least Toxic Cleaning Products & Indoor Air Quality, Nutritional Lunch and Snacks, Replacement of anti-bacterial soaps with least toxic soaps, Reduced Waste such as Sustainable and least toxic food packaging, and Green Buildings. Least Toxic Pest Control presentations to local service organizations, schools, hospitals, homeowner associations, health clubs, building management companies and public agency staff and politicians. Pests can be insects, weeds, rodents, fungi, mammals and microorganisms. Education and Outreach at Community Fairs, Festivals, and Conferences. PfSE and volunteers of trained students, retirees, and other adults provide consultation on pest problems using least toxic alternatives. Projects that are on hold until we have more funding and staff: Work with neighboring communities who oppose the Contra Costa County Mosquito & Vector Control District spraying pesticides from trucks into the middle of neighborhood streets to kill adult mosquitoes, a procedure that has been shown by a major Harvard University School of Public Health study in 2006 to be ineffective at controlling mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus. Assisting Churches and businesses to become Green and Sustainable. Documentary Environmental Film, Food and Wine Nights to educate the community and mobilize individuals for effecting change at a personal level. PfSE co-sponsored the monthly “Green Rheem” film/wine nights from 2008-2010 with great attendance. Alternative to Driving Campaign: Work with school districts and child care facilities to incorporate car-pooling programs at schools and for after school activities. Introduce GPS mapping on carpool board of potential riders so that people can easily carpool. Work on passing a California State Legislation on reforming pest control in public schools and all child-care facilities in California. ************************************ List-serve sign-up: Click here to sign up onto our list-serv! PfSE meets every 3rd Thursday of the month in Moraga, at the home of the Director. Background: Parents for a Safer Environment (PfSE), a grass-roots organization, was formed after parents witnessed children being exposed to serious environmental hazards in Childcare Facilities in the Fall of 2002. A steering committee of parent volunteers from Moraga, Lafayette, Richmond, El Cerrito, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and Martinez, and an Advisory Board of health and technical experts work to bring awareness of environmental hazards and solutions to the community. We invite others to join us. Learn more about us here! Advisory Board Contact: Director, Susan JunFish, MPH junfish@ gmail dot com (925) 283-4609 Jobs available for scientists, editors, and those interested in protecting public health and the environment. Acknowledgements:** Website designer and gatekeeper: Diana Chernikova (dchernikova at gmail dot com)
Back to Top